Grey skies have been interspersed with blue ones over the past month of so. And blue sky days invariably mean that, after a few hours of daylight, the low, slanting winter sun sets rather spectacularly, in a riot of gold and deep rose and flame. Whenever I can, I head over to the Thames, to one of my favourite vantage points for capturing something of this blaze of glory over the opposite bank. Thus, over the past few weeks, I've managed to share via social media the striking sunsets which ushered in and then ended Advent, and - yesterday - the last sunset of 2025.
But what about the first sunset of 2026? Today, January 1st, our early sunshine soon gave way to grey skies, though by mid-afternoon I could see an underlying glimmer. Was the sun trying to break through? And might it do so - as sometimes happens - in time to put on a setting show? The glimmer intensified into a line of palest, creamy gold as I walked towards the river, but the overlying clouds meant that the sunset remained pale, and muted. Low-key and understated, yes, and lacking the fire and drama of yesterday - but still lovely, and with its own softly grey drama.
I turned my back on the final sliver of cream, and began to retrace my steps. And then something made me pause, and turn around... in time to see a golden flare, lighting the gap between the trees. The first sunset of 2026 had ended, not in pale grey, but in a sudden blaze of gleaming, golden glory! I sprinted back, past some oblivious people, to hastily snap a few, final photos - though in those thirty seconds or so, I could already see the brilliance, having sparkled tantalisingly at me, now sinking into the horizon. And now all was variegated grey, save for a rose-gold sliver, its reflection still faintly, softly glowing.
And thus ended the first day of 2026: low-key and understated, but with unexpected, surprising glory in its tail. My prayer and my hope for us all is that this new year - after 2025's volatility - will be similarly muted, but also surprise us with the most astounding, softly glowing glory!
Happy New Year, everyone!
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